Racquet swing training system and method of swing training
A racquet swing training system utilizes a cover having hooks coupled thereto that are configured to couple with elastic bands to provide resistance during a swing motion. The hook on the cover is effectively retained and secured by a stiffener plate. In addition, the hooks may be coupled with a pivot to enable the hooks to rotate down parallel with the cover for compact storage. A plurality of hooks may be configured on the cover to provide different training options. A plurality of elastic bands may be provided and some may provide higher resistance than others.
1 . A method of swing training comprising:
a) providing the racquet swing training system comprising:
i) a racquet comprising;
an extended end;
a handle end;
a handle; and
racquet portion;
ii) a cover comprising:
a first side;
a second side opposite the first side;
perimeter extending between and around the first side and the second side;
a pocket configured between the first side and the second side for receiving the racquet portion;
an opening to said pocket;
a closure feature extending from said opening along a portion of the perimeter of the cover and configured to expand the opening for inserting the racquet portion into the pocket; and
a stiffener plate configured on said fist side, wherein said stiffener plate is free-standing;
iii) a first hook coupled to the stiffener plate and extended out from the first side; and
iv) an elastic band comprising:
a racquet end; and
a support end;
wherein the racquet end of the elastic band is configured to detachably attach to said first hook;
b) detachably attaching the support end of the elastic band to a support;
c) detachably attaching the racquet end of the elastic band to the first hook;
d) grasping the handle;
e) swinging the racquet from a first position to a second position to swing train, wherein the elastic band provides a resistance to said swinging;
wherein in the second position the racquet is positioned further from the support than in the first position, and wherein in the second position the elastic band is stretched to a greater length than in the first position
f) removing the cover; and
g) using the racquet for a racquet sport.
2 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
a) providing a second elastic band comprising:
i) a racquet end; and
ii) a support end;
wherein the racquet end of the second elastic band is configured to detachably attach to said first hook;
wherein the second elastic band has a resistance when stretched 50% of an original length that is at least 25% higher than a resistance of the first elastic band when stretched 50% of an original length;
b) coupling the racquet end of the second elastic band to the first hook;
c) coupling the support ed of the second elastic band to a support;
d) grasping the handle of the racquet; and
e) moving the racquet from a first position to a second position;
wherein in the second position the racquet is positioned further from the support than in the first position, and wherein in the second position the elastic band is stretched to a greater length than in the first position.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a pivot and wherein the first hook is configured to pivot about said pivot.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the first hook is configured to pivot about said pivot at least 90 degrees from vertical to flat against the first side.
5 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the first hook is configured to pivot about said pivot at least 180 degrees.
6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the first side comprises an outer layer and an inner layer and wherein stiffener plate is configured between the outer layer and the inner layer.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the racquet swing training system further comprises a second hook.
8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the first hook is configured substantially along a centerline axis of the cover and the second hook is configured substantially along the centerline axis of the cover a centerline distance from the first hook.
9 . The method of claim 8 , further comprising a first pivot and wherein the first hook is configured to pivot about said first pivot at least 90 degrees from vertical to flat against the first side, and a second pivot, wherein the second hook is configured to pivot about said second pivot at least 90 degrees from vertical to flat against the first side.
10 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the first hook is configured a width distance of at least 25 mm from a centerline axis of the cover and the second hook is configured substantially along the centerline axis of the cover.
11 . The method of claim 10 , further comprising a first pivot and wherein the first hook is configured to pivot about said first pivot at least 90 degrees from vertical to flat against the first side, and a second pivot, wherein the second hook is configured to pivot about said second pivot at least 90 degrees from vertical to flat against the first side.
12 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the stiffener plate has an area that is substantially the same as a pocket area of the cover wherein the stiffener plate has an area that is 80% or more the pocket area.
13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the stiffener plate has flexural modulus at 5% of at least 0.75 Gpa and a thickness of at least 3 mm.
14 . The racquet swing training system of claim 1 , wherein the closure feature extends at least 30% of the perimeter.
15 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the racquet is a pickle ball racquet.
16 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising a fastener, wherein the first hook is coupled to the stiffener plate by said fastener, wherein the fastener has an outer portion and an inner portion.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising a pivot having a pivot body;
wherein the first hook is configured to pivot about said pivot;
wherein the fastener has an outer portion that forms a portion of said pivot body.
18 . The method of claim 17 , wherein the inner portion of the fastener is a recessed fastener being recessed in a pocket-side surface of the stiffener plate.